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Last week my beloved Celtics have won their 17th championship after waiting 22 years for another shot at the title.  And the fact that they did it against the Lakers makes it especially sweet :).  Looking back on their season, there were many factors that attributed to the biggest turn around in NBA history from a  team that won 24 games in 2006-2007 season to 66 wins and the world championship the year after.  Most people will say that it was the acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen along with several role players.  Some says it’s their commitment to defense.  I say it’s because of a mindset that they’ve adopted in the beginning of the season.  The mindset of ubuntu.

At the time I knew of ubuntuas the the popular operating system popular with Linux users.  Imagine my surprise when I heard the Celtics yelling it in their pre-game warm-ups(I’ve always thought NBA players were Windows users, shows what I know! ^_^).  After my initial confusion, looking it up online I found this definition of it:

A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole…

- Desmond Tutu

 Beautiful, no?

A few of the many possibilities that can be achieved with adopting this mindset:

  • In work: Looking back many a department project would’vegone a lot more smoothly (and successfully) if this mindset was adopted instead of trying to impress the boss with one’s savy and technical skills (myself included I have to say).  Disagreements over specs, timetables, and even font selection for presentation pieces have derailed many good ideas I’m embarrassed to say. 
  • At play: From playing basketball to playing Halo, doing one’s part to help their team instead of hoisting up ill advised shots from half-court or going into enemy territory alone with guns blazing.  And not getting pissed and jealous when a teammate does well.
  • In life:  Not being jealous of your neighbors big-screen TV, fancy car or big house.  Instead be happy for them and their success, and hopefully learn from them as well.

 

 So how does one achieve ubuntuness?

 

  • Acceptance of others: People are different, we know this.  Race, gender, age, culture, religion, backgrounds, experiences, and many other qualities differentiate us from each other.  The key is to learn to appreciate the differences in people and see them for what they really are: beautiful, unique individuals that you can learn and grow from.
  • Acceptance of yourself:  We are our worst critics.  Smart?  Rich? Beautiful? Popular?  These are a few examples of the qualifiers used in society to measure one’s level of success.  While it’s good to want to be successful, it can become an endless pursuit that can make you miserable in the long run if you always compare yourself to others.  When you think you are not good enough, you start resenting yourself, which leads you to resent others.  Know that while you strive to better yourself, you are already good enough in your own way my friend :)  You have a lot to offer the world, you already bring a lot to the table with your knowledge and experiences.  Believe in yourself.  It’s easy to loose track of this sometimes when you’re having a bad day, so it helps to have some reminders.  I suggest re-reading my post on anchoring.
  • Understanding of others: Know the saying, “Walk a mile in his/her shoes?”  Life presents unique challenges for everyone.  So when a friend or family member upsets you, before swearing them off and going incommunicado with them, imagine yourself in their position.  Did they have a bad day at work?  Are they feeling under the weather?  While it may not take away the hurt completely, it may provide some context for you to understand why they did what they did or said what they said.  And that can be the difference between mending relationships and lifelong grudges.
  • Adaptability: Things will never go according to plan all the time, that’s just a part of life.  So it’s important to keep a calm, cool disposition when facing life’s little challenges.  While you should acknowledge the curve balls that is thrown your way, you should not be satisfied with the cards you are dealt.  Note the distinction between acknowledgement and acceptance of a situation(perseverance in one and the absence of it in the other).  You should be a force for change for yourself(in the beginning at least).  You know what they say (Warning!  Cliche’ alert) - when life gives you lemons…make lemonade!   

 

 Now, are you ready to take on the season that is your life and achieve your own personal championship?  I’d say go for it.

1,2,3…Ubuntu!

Thanks for reading.